Nwaneri, another Nigerian youngster shine as Arsenal drub Bolton in EFL Cup

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Arsenal’s teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri stole the show as the Gunners cruised to a 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup. 

The 17-year-old Nigerian marked his full debut with a stunning brace, becoming the youngest player in Arsenal’s history to score two or more goals on his first start in the 21st century.

Nwaneri’s standout performance highlighted a dominant night for Mikel Arteta’s men, with Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz also getting on the scoresheet.

Ethan Nwaneri, another Nigerian youngster shine as Arsenal dru Bolton in EFL Cup
Photo by IMAGO

It was a night for the youngsters, as 18-year-old right-back Joshua Nichols, eligible to represent Nigeria, England, Jamaica, and Guyana, also featured prominently.

Arsenal wasted no time imposing themselves on the game, with Declan Rice opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a precise shot from outside the box. 

Ethan Nwaneri stars on debut start

From there, Ethan Nwaneri took center stage, finding the net twice—first in the 37th minute with a cool left-footed finish from close range and then adding his second just after halftime, again slotting home with his left foot after an assist from Rice.

Despite Aaron Collins pulling one back for Bolton in the 53rd minute with a counter-attacking goal, Arsenal remained in control. Raheem Sterling, on his first start for the club, scored in the 64th minute to restore their three-goal cushion before Kai Havertz rounded off the scoring with a close-range strike in the 78th minute.

The victory sees Arsenal comfortably progress to the fourth round, with Nwaneri’s performance providing further evidence of the club’s promising future.

Nwaneri’s performance was a testament to his maturity and technical ability. The teenager had 44 touches, completed 93% of his passes, and made two key passes, showcasing his vision and composure. He also contributed defensively, winning three of his nine ground duels and making two tackles.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.